Manager attacked while opening up pizza shop in Franklin

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FRANKLIN, Ind. – A Franklin pizza shop manager was attacked while on the job.

Police say 45-year-old Pam Hartwell showed up to work at Small Town Pizza on Sunday around 8:45 a.m. Hartwell entered the restaurant through the back door and within 10 minutes she was in trouble. Hartwell told 911 dispatchers a suspect punched in the face and knocked her to ground as she was walking to the dining room.

“At this point in time we don’t know if the suspect knew our victim or if they were just looking for an easy way to make some money,” said Deputy Chief Chris Tennell, with the Franklin Police Department.

Investigators believe more than one criminal was in on this, but they aren’t sure if they were waiting inside the store of if they followed Hartwell in through the back door.

“She did not see the suspects. She just knows she got struck to the ground and that’s all the information she can provide at this time,” said Tennell.

Detectives say after Hartwell was on the ground, the thieves went for her money.

“They also entered her purse, dumped the contents on the counter. She’s missing some cash and some medication,” said Tennell.

Detectives found where the thieves tried to pry open the register drawers but they weren’t successful. The thieves then went for the register screens.

“It looks as if someone may have used their fist or another object to smash the screens on the two iPads,” said Tennell.

Police checked nearby security cameras and found a shot of a grey Jeep Grand Cheerokee in Northwood Plaza around the time of the crime. Police are trying to track down the vehicle to talk to the driver.

“I don’t know what the mindset would be and why they would enter a restaurant to commit such a crime,” said Tennell

Hartwell was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Police said she has a black eye. If you recognize the vehicle in the security camera image, you’re asked to call Franklin police at (317) 736-3670.